Davies: Win was for Rhys

Hospital-ridden prop sent message of inspiration to Scarlets

Last updated: 28th January 2012  

Davies: Win was for Rhys

Nigel Davies: Message from Thomas was an inspiration

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Scarlets head coach Nigel Davies said a good luck message from ailing prop Rhys Thomas helped inspire his side to a 27-19 LV=Cup victory over London Irish.

Thomas is in a comfortable condition in hospital having undergone heart surgery after being taken ill at training on Thursday.

Davies told of how the 29-year-old wanted to wish his team-mates the best before they went on to claim a win that sees them close in on a first LV= Cup semi-final place since 2005-06.

"It's been a tough few days," he said. "I went to see Rhys before the game and he is not great.

"He is recovering but he did say to wish the boys all the best, and I passed that on to the boys, and they certainly delivered for him."

Young back-rowers Matt Gilbert and Kieran Murphy shone for the hosts, while centre Adam Warren and Newton were composed behind the scrum.

And Davies felt the display ranked as the best squad performance of his tenure with 11 internationals away preparing for Six Nations duty.

Resilience

"This game and last week's win in Castres have been fantastic squad efforts and show the depth we have and how that's building," he said.

"That was as strong a team as Irish could put out and we showed a lot of resilience and spirit, and when opportunities came we took them.

"That was the best squad performance that we have been able to put out, going back maybe to even a long time before I was here."

Exiles boss Toby Booth endured an irritating evening that saw his side have two triews ruled out by the video referee.

"That was frustrating, we had the ball for long periods in the right areas, we had two TMO decisions go against us, not that I'm saying they were the wrong decisions, but shows we have been in good positions and that proved the difference.

"You have to convert when you get there and we were probably guilty of not doing that."

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